Background: Potent topical corticosteroids are used the intense pruritus in prurigo diseases. Their long-term application leads to local side effects such as atrophy and telangiectasia.
Patients and methods: We treated 6 women (average age 64 years) with chronic prurigo with tacrolimus 0.1 % ointment (Protopic) to evaluate its efficacy in this clinical setting. Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment was applied twice a day for 4 weeks.
Results: After one week, both clinical improvement and reduced pruritus were observed in all patients.
Conclusion: Tacrolimus 0.1% ointment represents a therapeutic option for the treatment of prurigo.